IMPORTANT NOTE: Someone pointed out to me that the last chapter, 'Thought', had some similarities to an episode from season nine or ten (thank you for that). I am incredibly SORRY for that! As I said, I am quite new to Stargate SG-1 and I have to admit, I've never watched season nine and ten. Really, I tried, but SG-1 without Jack just isn't the same and the Ori are plain annoying (at least the Goa'uld had some style). But if I had known there was an episode, where Sam gets lost with Jack due to his tampering with an Ancient device, then I really have to find this episode. I always thought Jack didn't appear in those seasons anymore…
However, I did not, at no time, intend to plagiarize an episode! I thought of taking 'Thought' down immediately, but I really don't know the episode and am unsure, how close my story really is to it. And I'm certainly not willing to endure two seasons of the Ori to find this certain episode. Also, quite a few seemed to like the chapter (again, thank you so much for the kind words!).
So I would REALLY APPRECIATE some feedback on that, so I can determine, whether or not the chapter needs to be taken down!

Alright and now, on to the next chapter: my take on a reason, why Sam and Jack always seem to be at the top of the rumor mill. And, of course, it's partly Daniel's fault…

Around the regs

Chapter Ten: Misunderstanding

"ACCIDENTALLY MARRIED?!", General Hammond all but shouted, half in confusion, half in furious anger.

Jack had to hold back an automatic wince at the unusual volume of his CO. Next to him, he felt Sam stiffen and Daniel even jump slightly, both surprised with the reaction. Only Teal'c seemed to stand his ground unfazed. Well, it probably wasn't appropriate for a former Prime to be intimidated by the – quite legal – wrath of a man about two heads shorter.
Still, Jack had to admit that General Hammond was giving off quite a dangerous air right now, the normally composed man close to seething.

Okay, Jack had to admit, he had kinda bowled the man over with his… report, but then again he couldn't think of any words to break it kindlier to his CO. Honestly, Jack had hoped to deal with the problem discreetly, seeing that he had asked to have this debriefing in the General's office rather than the briefing room, but well, General Hammond's shouting would have had about done the rest. Even though Jack didn't dare to turn around right now, he was all too aware of the complete silence that had followed the Texan's sudden outburst. Jack could practically imagine Walter Harriman and all Tech Sergeants down in the control room being frozen mid-movement while listening in on something that had begun as a considerably normal mission debriefing for SG-1.

Jack tried to concentrate on the General – and that particular, bulging vein that made itself visible on the Texan's neck. He could clearly see that his Commanding Officer tried to rein in the anger, if the clenched teeth and the spreading red color on his cheeks were any indication. But Jack was also acutely aware of the reactions of his 2IC next to him. Or more her non-reactions. Jack wondered briefly, if she was even breathing. She was so still, it was frightening. She sat stiffly, with her back straightened proud, but her eyes cast down onto the large desk, not able to look General Hammond, someone she considered an old friend of the family, in the eye. And she also avoided any eye contact with him like the plague. Hey, as if he was responsible for this mess!

In the total silence, where nobody dared to say anything in fear of General Hammond's reaction, Daniel suddenly stood, walked over and closed the door to the adjoining briefing room. When all eyes landed on him, he waved awkwardly towards the other room, now closed off from their conversation. "Well, no need to make it official…?", the archaeologist offered an explanation.

Jack couldn't help the harsh sarcasm that broke out of him: "Oh, don't worry, I think we have already covered that!"

Next to him, Sam groaned and actually sank a bit further down in her chair. "Oh god…!", she murmured. At hearing that, Jack's fingers twitched in an automatic response. He wanted nothing more than to reach over and take her hand to squeeze it reassuringly; to tell her that he was in there with her, and that he would stand by her. But given their recent situation he deemed it wise to leave his hands, where General Hammond could see them, and far away from his 2IC. Even if his fingers started clenching together painfully to tamp down the urge to seek out Sam's hands.

Daniel sat back down and General Hammond took a deep breath. Shooting a steely gaze at Jack, the Texan drawled sharply: "Okay, let's do this civilized." His gaze bored into Jack, when he asked with a carefully controlled voice: "So, Colonel O'Neill, care to tell me, how you got accidentally married to your 2IC, while on a recon mission?"

Jack wasn't as aware of the man's righteous anger, as he was of Sam's little wince, when the Texan's voice cut through the heavy silence in the room. And suddenly, Jack found his center again. No matter what they did to him, he didn't care. But he cared about Carter – and her career. He would not let anything jeopardize it; least of it some stupid mistake he had commanded! And the overwhelming urge to protect her – and everything that was important to her – paired with the little importance he held for himself, gave him one single goal he could work on towards: getting Carter out of this misery he was responsible for.

But then Jack's gaze went towards Daniel, who looked ridden with guilt. Then again, he mused, he wasn't the only one responsible for this absurd briefing Jack wouldn't even have dreamed of. "Actually, sir…!", Jack began, and briefly wondered, how many sentences the General must have heard begin with those two words. Wasn't he sick of them yet? Then Jack suddenly decided to change tactics and pointed swiftly at Daniel. "…it's all his fault!"

Daniel spluttered incoherently and looked incredulously at him. Jack raised an eyebrow at him, daring him silently to defy him, knowing the archaeologist couldn't.

"Sir…", Carter's voice whispered in the silence. "It's not really Daniel's fault."

At hearing her subdued voice, Jack wanted to scream. Mainly at some reckless archaeologist.

"Yes, I'm actually…", Daniel began, but immediately Jack interrupted him.

"Yes, you are!", he cut in. "Who was the one, who said – and I quote – just go along with it? What bad can it do?"

"Jack, I didn't know…!", Daniel defended himself, when Sam interjected simultaneously: "Sir, that's not fair! How was Daniel supposed to…?"

Both stopped abruptly, when General Hammond raised a hand, his patience with SG-1 running out. "Would anyone kindly inform me, what happened?", he inquired icily.

Jack opened and closed his mouth, not sure what he was supposed to say that didn't get him and Carter in a court-martial. From the corner of his eyes he could see Sam mull over dozens of words in her head, searching for the right ones, and Daniel had his eyes squinted in deep thought, trying to find their way out of this. It was, surprisingly, Teal'c, who stepped in. "We made contact with the natives on P7Y-768, as was our initial objective. They are in possession of large amounts of naquadah, and they are very willing to hand it over to us, since they have no use for it. They merely asked for help in acquiring medical knowledge, which Major Carter approved of. To deepen the bonds between our races for the negotiations, they invited us for some ritual procedure, as far as Daniel Jackson could make out. During our whole stay he appeared to have some kind of lingual barrier he was not fully able to cross…"

At this Daniel looked as put out as regretful, and Jack was almost near forgiving him. Teal'c went on unimpressed, his eyes never wavering from General Hammond: "The ritual procedure consisted of females stepping in front of some device the natives claimed to have been given by a peaceful god. We could not detect any hints referring to the presence of a Goa'uld on this planet, but Major Carter assumed the device to be left behind by the Ancients."

Teal'c waited for General Hammond's nod of understanding and then continued coolly: "The device seemed to scan the female and then single out a male to partner the female up with. Each pair found was tremendously celebrated. From what Daniel Jackson made out of the native's explanations, the device was to find significant ones…"

"Um, at this time I thought it meant something like ones of a kind…", Daniel explained, shooting apologetic glances at Sam.

"Yeah, and then they insisted, Carter try it!", Jack threw in.

General Hammond sighed deep, and Jack had the nagging suspicion that his friend already knew, where this was headed. Still, Jack couldn't help the snarky remark that followed his words. Turning towards Daniel, he said: "And your exact words to that were 'Just go along with it. What bad can it do?'"

"How should I have known what was about to happen?", Daniel huffed.

"It's your job to know such things!", Jack barked, knowing full well that he was unfair. Still, it was Carter's future here that was at stake! "It's why you're on this team!"

Daniel gnawed on his cheek, probably gulping down one or two not-so-friendly comments for his best friend.

"Sir, I couldn't possibly refuse them in sight of our oncoming negotiations!", Sam defended herself, her eyes locked unwavering on General Hammond.

"Of course, you couldn't.", General Hammond stated emphasized, but without giving anything away. "What happened then?"

"Somehow, and I'm no way sure why, the device singled me out for her…", Jack squished out through gritted teeth, looking anywhere but Sam, who went rigid.

"We thought the device picked up on their similarities coming from their military way.", Daniel explained hastily. "You know, that they're one of a kind…"

"Yeah, and then there was that large party…!", Jack continued.

"With lots of explanations and stories…", Daniel chimed in.

"And suddenly, Daniel exclaims we're married!", Jack accused.

"Bonded!", the archaeologist corrected, sounding as if he'd told Jack that on more than one occasion. "From what I could make out of the stories, the device is to connect soul mates, binding them together in the process…"

"Oh, for cryin' out loud, what's the damn difference?", Jack lost it. "I remember you sayin' that by their customs Carter and I are married!" And this time Jack was sure, Sam next to him had stopped breathing.

"Look, Jack…", Daniel began. "I told you so, because I wanted to get my point across. The people on P7–"

Jack drummed his fingers loudly on the table, showing Danny-boy exactly how annoyed he felt right now. Daniel continued indifferent. "…they don't marry, like we do. They don't hold a ceremony – and that's why I suspected this late it was actually a marriage you've undergone – they simply stay together for life. Their being chosen by the device is their way of marrying. But since there are no vows, no specific celebrations, no giving a sign of mutual commitment, like rings, it's more like an obligatory binding…"

Jack felt one of his eyes twitch with the heavy urge to strangle the man he considered one of his best friends. He was so not in the mood for that technobabble – even if, technically speaking, it was more of a psycho-history-moral-babbling. General Hammond came to his rescue, before he could really consider doing something to the oblivious archaeologist he would later on surely regret. "So, Doctor Jackson, are Colonel O'Neill and Major Carter married or not?"

Eerie silence filled the room, all eyes going to Daniel. The archaeologist bit his lip, his sad gaze holding Sam's pleading one. "By the law and customs of P7Y-768 they are considered married.", he said, his voice breaking with sympathy for his friends. He knew full well what his proclamation would mean for his friends, and his aversion to part doom on them was moderating Jack somehow. And Jack also knew that Daniel had no other choice than to state the truth.

Looking back at General Hammond, Jack's fingers gripped the table, until the knuckles turned white. He could practically see his career, and more importantly, Carter's, fly out of the window. But what he feared above all that nonsense was that it would cost him Carter herself. That she would not forgive him for ruining her career, and that it would drive them apart. Because after all he had been the Commanding Officer on this mission, so he was responsible for every mistake his team made. With a sudden surge of emotion, he realized that this was his biggest concern. Not how it looked, not what it meant, not what it could bring upon them. Over all he just didn't want for Carter to hate him or to leave him. He didn't want to lose whatever they had.

"Sir!", he said urgently, looking General Hammond directly in the eyes. "I'll take full responsibility for the–"

To his complete surprise Sam bowled him over: "No, sir, it was me, who decided to try out this device, without knowing what this certain alien technology was capable of doing!"

"Carter, I'm the Officer in Charge! I'm the one, who–"

Again she didn't let him finish. "I was reckless. I should have known better than to temper with an unknown device!"

Jack sent her a withering glare, full of rage and frustration. Could she not just shut the hell up, while he tried to save her gorgeous, little neck? How was he supposed to pull her head out of the sling, if she insisted to put it back in every frickin' time he was trying to bail her out of it?! Sam looked right back at him, for the first time, since Daniel had taken the word 'married' in his mouth. Jack expected to find anger, frustration, sadness, desperation, disappointment or distance in them, but astonishingly, he could detect none of that in her open gaze. He wasn't met with the regret he had anticipated. It confused the hell out of him.

Sighing tiredly, Jack turned back to a suspiciously silent General Hammond. "Not to sound presumptuous, sir, but maybe there's some loophole here? You see, Carter and I really didn't plan… to marry out there. Wouldn't even be my choice of location!"

"Colonel?", General Hammond inquired, still suspiciously void of any reaction whatsoever to the fact that his two best officers, who were in a direct chain of command, had gotten married to each other.

Jack rubbed his hands exhausted over his face, feeling Sam's eyes on him. "I mean, it's an alien marriage, isn't it? Can't we just… ignore it here on Earth?"

Daniel winced, and this little sound nearly made Jack snap. It couldn't mean something positive for them, he just knew it!

"Unfortunately, Colonel…", General Hammond launched into explanation. "I have to inform you that off-world marriages are handled like marriages in other countries here on Earth. They are legally acknowledged by the United States, with all duties and privileges which would come from being married in the US."

Jack's furious gaze shot towards Daniel. He just knew the Space-monkey was responsible for this! Daniel ducked his head and held his hands up in an offering of peace. "I just… I applied for them to recognize off-world marriages, so my wedding to Sha're would get binding, and I could officially go search my wife…", Daniel tried to explain himself. Shit, Jack thought furious. He couldn't even be mad at the archaeologist for that!

Jack fell back in his chair and scrubbed his hands roughly through his hair. Next to him, Sam was in dire risk to bite open her lower lip she was worrying.

"So, what're we gonna do?", Daniel asked concerned. Nobody had an answer to that.

"Can we nullify the marriage?", Jack asked, grasping for straws. But strangely, he didn't like this thought. At all.

Carter's face went suspiciously blank.

General Hammond seemed to consider this intently, when Teal'c said: "I am unsure, if this would be a wise decision, O'Neill."

"Oh, and why not?", Jack asked, his voice dripping with sarcasm. He about had it that his best friends shot down any way he could think of to get Carter off the hook!

"I was under the strong assumption that the natives of P7Y-768 were supportive of our plans of negotiation, because you and Major Carter were bonded within their ritual, thus integrating both of you in their society and culture."

"Teal'c could be right!", Daniel jumped in. "If you are to reverse the wedding, they could be offended. They may think we wouldn't take their customs serious, and they may even cancel negotiations!"

"Sir, this could cost us decades of mining tons of naquadah…", Sam said torn; torn between wanting to find a way out for her and Jack, but also refusing to shatter their accomplishments. By now Jack had the strongest urge to rub his temples, where he felt a massive headache approach. Again thoughtful silence fell onto the room.

Finally, General Hammond was the first one to speak: "I will have to inform the President and the Joint Chiefs…", he began and Jack internally tried to guess how long it would take for them to fire his ass. "I will try to explain about the alien influences.", the General continued, and then an understanding smile dawned on his face. "Meanwhile I will give SG-1 the order to work through that ritual and analyze that alien device. See, if you can find any loophole, so we can get you out of that."

Jack, Sam and Daniel exhaled simultaneously in relief. General Hammond may have been furious with their carelessness, but he was on their side, and he tried everything to help them!

General Hammond stood and instantly Jack and Sam copied the movement. Then the General turned, intend to leave, so he could undoubtedly spend some quality time with that red phone of his. SG-1 was about to ready to bolt so they could start figuring a way out of this mess, when General Hammond turned around. A wide, amused grin spread on his face, when he began way-too-innocent: "Oh, and Jack…?"

Jack stopped, half-turned towards Sam, with a sinking feeling in his stomach. "General…?", he asked carefully.

General Hammond's smile grew even wider, and Jack had the sick feeling that the General was using this situation to get back at him. "Just so we're clear on this.", he said. "Until you've figured out how to undo that, you and Major Carter are considered to be married. Am I making myself clear?"

Jack froze in his tracks. From the corner of his eyes he saw Sam's mouth fall open in shock. "Sir…?", they both croaked hoarsely.

"Congratulations on getting married.", General Hammond smiled, and behind the two shocked officers, Daniel burst out laughing.

"Sir, I don't think, I understand…", Jack tried, looking for any sign that this was a sick joke. But then again the General had just explained how off-world marriages were handled…

General Hammond sent him another amused smile. "Well, Colonel. As far as I know, you've been married once. I'm sure you haven't forgotten how to treat a wife."

Sam choked on the General's words, but Jack suddenly felt as if Santa Claus had let all his wishes come true. "No, sir, I haven't.", he stated confidently. Oh, suddenly this opened up for so much possibilities, he mused inwardly. He could feel a feral grin spread over his face. Try as he might, he couldn't suppress it. And at seeing this, Carter went positively, endearingly red.

The General merely shot them both a look, telling them nonverbally, that he was letting them run on a long leash, but he expected them to come up with something to get the former status quo back. Then the General dismissed them leisurely.

SG-1 turned to begin their task immediately, Daniel still snickering not-so-discreetly. The moment they turned for the door, Jack saw the tension ebb out of Sam's edgy shoulders. They had made it. For now even relatively unscathed. The stressed look on her face relaxed and she inhaled deeply, trying to regain her composure. Her relief was tangible, and he was glad they had come out of this with a blue eye. Very glad for her. She seemed to notice him glancing at her, and looked at him. Their eyes met and locked. And Jack could still feel the usual deep, intuitive understanding he always had with her; the normal trust, and the typical feeling of something between them. Nothing had changed. And he was more than glad about that!

"So…", Daniel said, while opening the door and letting Sam step through first. "… what're we going to do now?"

Sam stepped aside and Jack followed her into the hallway, automatically standing next to her. Even rather close. He figured he had every right to, now. Sweeeet.

"Well, I'm going to run some tests on the probes I got from the device…", Sam mused out loud.

"Alright, then I think, I'm going to try and translate some writings we got from the natives…", Daniel stated.

Jack turned towards the silent Jaffa. "T?"

Teal'c bowed his head. "I am sorry, but I believe I require some kel'no'reem. If you are in no dire need of me…?"

Sam shook her head gently. "No, Teal'c. Go, get some sleep! And thank you for your help!"

Teal'c acknowledged this with a short bow of his head and then turned to walk towards his quarters.

"Well, Jack, what're you going to do?", Daniel asked.

Jack actually didn't know. From what he could see, there wasn't much to do for him but write his mission report. Yuck…

But then a thought dawned on him that sounded much more appealable. "Hm, I guess, I could accompany my wife to her lab…", he drawled languidly and smiled a lazy grin at Sam. And to top it off, he reached over and draped an arm companionably over her shoulders, effectively pulling her into his side. Gotta milk this situation for what it was worth, he figured. Immediately her face lit up like a traffic light, and Daniel coughed surprised.

And with a resounding crash a bypassing Airman missed the door and hit the frame, his mouth agape, while staring at Jack and Sam. Sam groaned, while Jack and Daniel started laughing. "God, sir…!", she groaned. "Now, we'll be on the top of the rumor mill for years!"

Jack all but shrugged. There were way worse things than getting attributed to the hot Major Doctor Samantha Carter, in his opinion…